TBVAC2020 review article now online
TBVAC2020 (a European consortium of TB R&D partners led by TBVI and funded by the EC) gives an update on its progress towards the development of new, safe and affordable TB vaccines – essential to control the TB epidemic and combat AMR.
Highlights of results include:
- Promising novel adjuvants, delivery systems, and live vaccine candidates are identified and evaluated for safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy
- 4 novel cutting-edge technologies (to identify antigens and epitopes).
- 51 tests comprised of 21 different vaccine candidates/approaches of safety, immunogenicity and/or efficacy have been completed or are on-going in the various models.
- New TB Biomarkers have been discovered (of protection and TB risk) using innovative approaches including omics studies; to develop and improve key functional assays.
European leadership in TB vaccine R&D
The EC has played a key role in accelerating TB vaccine research. Sustained EC funding over the past years made it possible to establish a unique European network that is a leading player in global innovation in TB research. Over 50% of the global pipeline in TB vaccine candidates currently evaluated in clinical trials originate from this EC funded European network.
At the same time, the pipeline needs to be fed constantly with new innovative candidates since it is unlikely that one single vaccine could protect against all different forms of TB disease in all age groups. Thus, the concept of diversification gained increasing importance. TBVAC2020 intermediate results already shows it can contribute to the diversification of the global pipeline and that new TB vaccines are feasible.
About TBVAC2020
The Horizon2020 research project TBVAC2020 is a 4-year project launched in January 2015 and is coordinated and supported by the TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI). It aims at the discovery and development of novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines from preclinical research projects to early clinical assessment.
As a key feature, TBVAC2020 strengthens the links between academia and industry through the services provided by TBVI organisation. It also ensures synergies in research and development and an effective and efficient use of resources, provided not only by EU, but as well 25% through other funders leading to a harmonized approach of TB vaccine R&D within the EU.
About TBVI
The TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) is a non-profit foundation that facilitates the discovery and development of new, safe and effective TB vaccines that are accessible and affordable for all people. As an Innovation Partnership, TBVI,integrates, translates and prioritises R&D efforts to discover and develop new TB vaccines and biomarkers for global use. TBVI provides essential services including technical support, knowledge management, resource mobilization and project management that support the R&D efforts of its consortium partners – 50 partners from academia, research institutes and private industry in the TB vaccine field.
Article details
The article provides an in-depth overview of activities and results of the TBVAC2020 project to date. The authors state that the progress that TBVAC2020 is making shows that new TB vaccines are feasible.
TBVAC2020: Advancing Tuberculosis Vaccines from Discovery to Clinical Development
Stefan H. E. Kaufmann, Hazel M. Dockrell, Nick Drager, Mei Mei Ho,Helen McShane, Olivier Neyrolles,Tom H. M. Ottenhoff7, Brij Patel, Danielle Roordink, François Spertini, Steffen Stenger, Jelle Thole, Frank A. W. Verreck, Ann Williams and TBVAC2020 Consortium
Front. Immunol., 04 October 2017
doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01203
Direct link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01203/full
Link to: EC factsheet Tuberculosis
Source: TBVI
